Me too, cheers, Martin. Liberal lashings of Rule 1 here, mind you!

As I model the same era and similar location this thread will be of interest to me as well so, thanks, Martin.
Seems the 'pillbox' van was built by the SR and weighed in at 25T as opposed to the BR 20T. This gave a slightly better ride. With shared routes and inter regional traffic there's no real reason why you couldn't have them on your layout

https://www.hattons.co.uk/directory/versiondetails/2651/graham_farish_n_sr_pill_box_brake_van

Quote from: Steven B on February 24, 2026, 07:00:39 PMTh classic GWR Toad were baned from long distance freight trains in 1957 as they didn't have the side bucket look-outs. They'd still be seen on local trains any were popular with engineers as they had a large cabin with one less draughty door than the BR standard van.

Pillbox was generally the name given to the SR brake van that wad similar in design to the LNER/BR standard.

Thank you Steven @Steven B .
So, if I understand correctly, I'm ok to run toads on local or trip freights or engineering trains but on long/longer distance workings I should be running the Standard BR design?

I need to up my compliment of the standard variety a little then 

Th classic GWR Toad were baned from long distance freight trains in 1957 as they didn't have the side bucket look-outs. They'd still be seen on local trains any were popular with engineers as they had a large cabin with one less draughty door than the BR standard van.

Pillbox was generally the name given to the SR brake van that wad similar in design to the LNER/BR standard.

My layout covers the period, generally, from 1956 to 1966 and is based on the sea wall at Teignmouth.

My chosen period allows me to run typical freight trains, long and short,  of the period but I'm unsure of the correct brake vans to utilise.

I have a number of ex GW Toads which I can, I think, use for my chosen period and I also have several of the BR Standard, 20T I think they are, brake vans.

Were these latter types termed pillboxes?

So, in my chosen period were both types of van still in regular use or had the Toads started to be phased out?

I'd be grateful to hear people's thoughts.

Regards
Martin

Well, here goes:

Loco: New body class 25 (low hanging fruit, surely?)

Then it gets a bit more blue-sky...

Coach: RTC Trib train auto-trailer

Wagon: John Summers iron ore hoppers

Given that there have been two versions of the RTC 24, and the somewhat fictional 28, there surely has to be a market for the trib train coaches?

And the John Summers wagons, which are similar to the ICI limestone ones, are a memory from childhood. I have no expectation that I'll ever see them in RTR. But it is a wish-list.

Not interested in coaches and I've produced most of my wagon wishlist as 3D prints (See my shop below if you want one I've designed!).

The huge void for me is industrial steam locos smaller than the Austerity/J94.

Half a century ago Bachmann, Rivarossi and Arnold produced 0-4-0 locos that were often redeployed under British bodyshells from GEM etc.

Ten years ago Hornby added a Peckett 0-4-0 to their OO range, shortly followed by Hattons launching a similar sized Andrew Barclay.

Who wouldn't want at least one of those in N Gauge?

Space for a DCC chip is limited and a short wheelbase will challenge pickup, but the loco could be sold paired with a shunters'/coaling truck, (like Hornby's OO Ruston 48DS), to tackle such issues.

Mike

Crikey, not looked in here for a bit and Section 25 have been up. Still going, and still as good as I remember them when I was 15 and they played a backstreet dive here in Plymouth, with James and The Three Johns on the same bill.

Chillin' with Bonnie Raitt's greatest hits.
What a talented woman

Just three for me, all have been produced in OO, so most of the research has been done.

Class 165 or 166 in two or three car version, many liveries to choose from. (Bachmann)
P&D JHA hoppers in ARC and Hanson livery to go with the Class 59. (Dapol)
MRA side tipping wagons rake of five. (Dapol)

Geoff